Sweet Briar Victorious Over Randolph, Claims 5-4 ODAC Win

Mar 20, 2013

LYNCHURG, Va. --- Sweet Briar College extended its win streak to three matches with a dramatic win over Randolph College on Wednesday evening. With the comeback victory, the Vixen side earns its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference win of the season.

The Vixen Tennis Team narrowly missed gaining a second doubles point. The Vixen Sarah Manter (Brunswick, Maine/Brunswick) /Emma Merritt-Cuneo (Pacifica, Calif./Oceana) duo enjoyed a 6-3 lead but ultimately surrendered the court No. 2 point by the score of 9-8 (7-5).

Manter and Merritt-Cueno would go the distance again on the singles side, this time pushing the SBC squad across the finish line for victory.

Play was suspended due to darkness with the WildCats leading 4-3. Singles match play continued at the local indoor court facility, The Sports Racket. A Merritt-Cuneo court No.4 victory pulled SBC even with Randolph (4-4).

With all play completed except the singles No. 1 match and the score tied, SBC'S senior captain Sarah Manter and Randolph's Patricia Verdezoto (Cuenza, Azuay, Ecuador/Bilingue Intermaericano) battled for the all important match point and ODAC victory.

Manter mounted a comeback attempt and outlasted Verdezoto 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to secure the win for the visiting Vixens. Manter had a feeling heading to the indoor courts that she would win. "Officially I was the deciding match and yes, I felt a little bit of pressure but I knew when we moved inside I would win."

The 5-4 victory catapults the Vixens into seventh place in league standings and the SBC record improves to 4-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The victorious Vixens will have little time to celebrate; the team travels to Salem, Va. for another ODAC match on Thursday afternoon. The contest with Roanoke College is set for a 4:30 p.m. start.

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